The Heavy Metal Miners of Motherlode is a massive, socially progressive nation, ruled by Shu-luft with an even hand, and notable for its irreverence towards religion, absence of drug laws, and complete absence of social welfare. The hard-working, democratic population of 1.342 billion Miners have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The tiny government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Industry, and Defense. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Arcadia 3. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 6.1%.

The powerhouse Miner economy, worth 119 trillion Love Potions a year, is driven almost entirely by the private sector, which is broadly diversified and led by the Uranium Mining industry, with major contributions from Soda Sales, Automobile Manufacturing, and Retail. Average income is 88,714 Love Potions, with the richest citizens earning 7.1 times as much as the poorest.

Schoolboys trained in chivalry are encouraged to duel other boys for a maiden's hand, mandatory state-funded classes teach Libertarianism, behind every great person are three dozen other people passing great memos, and enemy navies sail within bombardment range of major coastal cities with impunity. Crime, especially youth-related, is a major problem, probably because of the absence of a police force. Motherlode's national animal is the Ursinoid, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation.

Motherlode is ranked 232,960^th in the world and 216^th in United Earth Space Probe Agency for Most Beautiful Environments, with 25.03 Pounds Of Wildlife Per Square Mile.